San Antonio, TX – Gwen Komahcheet, 62,
and Juan Gabriel Garza, 23 were both arrested early this morning by the Lone
Star Fugitive Task Force in Eagle Pass, TX in 2 separate cases. An arrest
warrant was issued for Komahcheet pursuant to an investigation by the Texas
Department of Public Safety, where it is alleged that he violated the
conditions of his state parole by failing to comply with his requirement to
register as a sex offender. An arrest warrant was also issued for Garza
pursuant to an investigation by the Zavala County Sheriff’s Office, where it
is alleged that he committed 1st degree murder.

The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force was contacted by the Texas Department of
Public Safety and Zavala County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in locating
and apprehending both Komahcheet and Garza. Task force officers initiated an
investigation and determined that Komahcheet and Garza had previously fled
to the Republic of Mexico (MX). Task force officers coordinated
investigative activities with the United States Marshals Service (USMS) in
Mexico City, MX and their Mexican law enforcement counterparts. Members of
the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) were able to locate and detain
both Komahcheet and Garza in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, MX. Komahcheet and
Garza, both United States citizens, were presented before a Mexican
immigration judge and determined to have no legal status to remain in the
country. Komahcheet and Garza were expelled from the Republic of Mexico and
turned over to the custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the
U.S. Port of Entry, in Eagle Pass, TX. Komahcheet was formally arrested by
the members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and transported to the
Maverick County Detention Center. Garza was also formally arrested by the
members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and transported to the Zavala
County Detention Center.

Both men are currently being held in custody without bond.

In 1979, Komahcheet was arrested in Dallas, TX on allegations of sexual
assault with a deadly weapon. Komahcheet was found guilty and sentenced to
serve a 75 year term in the Texas Department of Corrections. In 2004,
Komahcheet was released to parole supervision after serving 24 years.
Komahcheet allegedly violated the conditions of his parole when he absconded
from supervision and failed to comply with his requirement to maintain his
sex offender registration. The Texas Department of Public Safety added
Komahcheet to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive List as a result of his
extensive and violent criminal history involving sexual assaults with
weapons.

On April 6, 2013, Garza was allegedly involved in a shooting that resulted
in the death of Christopher Navar, 31. The shooting was the result of a
verbal altercation between both men, which took place at a home in Crystal
City, TX. After the alleged shooting, Garza fled to Piedras Negras, Coahuila,
MX in an attempt to allude capture.

Robert Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas,
states, “Words alone cannot express my esteem gratitude for the
collaborative efforts of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Texas Department
of Public Safety, Zavala County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, and The Instituto Nacional de Migración in both of these cases.
Komahcheet was on the run from justice for far too long and Garza thought he
could take a life without consequences, but thanks to our partners in law
enforcement, their run has come to an end.”

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (San Antonio Division):

New Braunfels Police Department

San Antonio Police Department

San Antonio Independent School District
Police Department

Bexar County Sheriff’s Office

Comal County Sheriff’s Office

Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office

Bexar County District Attorney’s Office

Texas Office of The Attorney General

Texas Department of Public Safety

Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
Office of the Inspector General